The latest.....

We went to the fair and Brayden rode a mechanical bull....

He did a good job until it started going faster, then he screamed, "Turn it off!" I tried to talk him into doing the muttin bustin', but there was no way. My nephew, Keegan did, I heard he held on for 3 seconds, we weren't there to see it though. Those kids are brave, and clueless! I was laughing so hard (mostly inappropriately because the kids had no idea what their parents had signed them up for). The ranch guys would pick them up after they flew off the sheep and dirt/poop/nastiness would just flow from their helmets!

We celebrated Auntie Sarah and Great-Grandma's B-day....

Sadly nothing has changed in this arena. Ellie is able to change her twin sister's bum. Isn't there something really wrong with that? This does not phase Dani one bit.....look how tall she is, the diapers barely fit around her. Maybe one day she will look at this and admit that she is the most stubborn thing that I have EVER met!

Last weekend we ventured out into a rain storm! There was a free kids bike race at the park and I thought the kids would love it. They all did great, it went way better than I had anticipated. Ellie and Dani were in the 5 and under group with training wheels. I think there were about 9 girls in the race and Ellie WON! I was cracking up, she took off at the start and never looked back! She had determination and drive on her face, her little legs clad in rain boots kept on pedaling, she crossed the finish line and kept on riding, she had no clue what was going on. She is my competitor though! Dani trucked right along and got THIRD! She went at her own leisurely pace, which was faster than the other girls' leisurely pace and made it all the way through! I was a proud Mama!

Listening to the rules and directions, look at how clueless they all are! Half of them haven't even lined up to race, they're just hanging out in the grass still.

Ellie taking her lead!

Dani cruising behind her.

We waited 45 minutes for the 6 year olds to race next. It was down pouring, but B was determined to race. They had a longer course, part of it was in the grass and they had to do 2 laps. Poor B's tires are so bald and worn, I was surprised he was able to move in the grass at all. There were boys there ready to race. They had the bike gear, and mtn. bikes. Sweet Brayden was thrilled because he had the only bike with fire on it! I was thinking 'yeah, that's because we got it at Walmart 2 years ago and it's way too small for you and any of these kids here.' But he doesn't know the difference and he's just not quite tall enough for the next size.

Tired boy crossing the finish line! YAY Brayden!

Fun times with FUN friends!

With all the birthday hoopla and with school starting, I forgot to post about my friend, Julie and Carter's visit! Julie was my college room mate. Every time I see her I have so much fun. This visit was short, she was in town for her cousin's wedding, but we were still able to meet for breakfast and head to a new park with the kids. I LOVE this chair because it makes me feel so tiny, this doesn't happen all that often. :) (You can probably tell the size of it better in the pics. with the kids).

Carter and Brayden

I think Brayden and Carter could have climbed this rock wall all day. That is B's bum going up and over, with Carter right behind him.

The girls stuck to the bars. Thanks for a fun morning Julie and Carter. I guess we'll see you in the Spring when the roads will be safe again! :)

One small step for Brayden...one GIANT leap for Mom

*Warning* This is a very well documented morning! Lots of pics and smiles from all! The night before the big day....still a little bit nervous!

Right before going to the bus stop. Doesn't it look like he is going to burst from excitement?

A few of the kindergartners from our block....Brayden, Lilly, Grayson, Kaiden and Ryan.

I had to take part of a group shot...no, this is not a block meeting, this is the AM bus stop! There are at least 13 kids! It's so great!

On the bus with Kaiden, ready to roll!

Getting off the bus with Keegan at school! The nervous jitters are all gone!

LISTENING to directions from Mrs. Griffith, his teacher. :)

At his table ready to work.....I tried to talk Mrs. Griffith into letting the girls stay too, but she wouldn't go for it. (I used to work with her, so she wasn't too weirded out by this psycho mom).

And he's home....20 minutes late! That's our house in the background, I can envision myself running out the front door when it's snowing as the bus comes down the road. I don't think I will be waiting eagerly on the corner when it's 15 degrees out. :)

B got off the bus (20 minutes late) and said, "We went to Liberty Lake! I kept telling the bus driver we live off Barker road, down the big hill! But he wouldn't listen to me. We kept driving down all these roads and nobody lived there!" At least he wasn't worried, he kept his cool and let the driver know what was going on. I bet that bus driver has really good, "Not listening ears!"

And Grandma Wagener flew in and met him when he got off the bus! What a fun, surprise!

We had a kindergarten celebration lunch at Carl's Jr. I know, we really do know how to party!

I have to say, this transition was easier than I expected. It was hard for me to be sad, when he was so thrilled and excited! I am quite proud of my kindergartner!

Little Boys With Big Toys!

This is us....(two of our little guys) This is them....(the big kids at the skate park)!

Kaiden and Gavin got Brayden a Razor scooter for his Birthday. Kaiden's birthday is the day after B's and his party was at the skate park! I know, when did my boy get big enough to do this? I was a crazy, nervous mom! I tried to be cool with all the big kids around, but it was tough!

B had a blast! He crashed once and had a temper tantrum, then he got right back on.

Concentrating on the moves.

I am so bummed I didn't get a pic. of my girls on their princess scooter and bike with training wheels at the skate park. :) They were so dang cute and rode on the perimeter so they didn't get run down! The party kids!

After this party we went to cousin Eliette's party. Unfortunately I didn't get any pics. I guess I was trying to keep my kids under control...which didn't end up working out too well. We had to leave early (and MISS the cake) because two little girls were having an absolute meltdown! It was very sad, and SOOO embarrassing. Dani actually wound up and tried to hit me. That's when I hauled her off to the car (mini-van) and strapped her into her car seat. It took a while to get her in, but thankfully that gave Auntie Jan enough time to gather the other two kids and bring them out, saving me from having to face all those people in the backyard again. Thank you Auntie Jan!!

Too much Birthday!

Party on Party People!

My baby boy is SIX years old! He has been talking about his birthday and his cake and his party for MONTHS! I decided to let him take the lead on the cake and decorate it all by himself! Lookin' good!

Of course the girls had to be in on the action too! They just got cookies though.

Auntie Kalin got him a SPIDERMAN helmet....

to go with his Spiderman skateboard (from Dad). I told Kent he is the one that will be taking him to the Dr. for broken bones....

We had 11 kids at the party (8 of which were family), then 3 pre-school friends. We did a little pin the badge on Woody and pin the wings on Buzz.

We also had a Pinata, which was great fun for all! I went to the back to school sales and put in crayons, scissors, rulers, crazy straws.....and a little bit of candy.

Dani after swinging away.

And we ended it all with the BEAUTIFUL cake!

Happy Birthday Brayden Goo!

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us! It was a very fun, memorable day!

Picklers

Our friends, Stephanie and Keith James have the best parties and are the best entertainers ever! They hosted their annual Pickle ball Tournament last weekend. They have a court in their back yard. They put our names in a hat and pair us up, but you can't be matched with your spouse. Brayden, Keegan and Cameron warming up the court for the "grown-ups."

My hubs and Angela were matched up as a team, they did quite well!

Dani and Ellie found the lady with the otter pops, poor lady didn't know there were four more kids right behind them, damn Phillips clan!

Ellie jumping with eight boys, should I start worrying now? She is the only wild girl brave enough to be in that cage....

Amy and Kelly, Kelly has the moves!

Sarah and Jason, this is them playing against Keith and me, sadly we whooped them, and they were eliminated!

Me showing Keith my skills, I tried to contribute and not let Keith down...we did well, although we got knocked out in the semi-finals... (I don't think Keith brought his game). I am going to blame our loss on him. :)

Keith even had minute to win it games planned for the kids. How cool is he? Although, his kids are older than ours and a little taller too. He wrapped a yo-you around their waist and then they had to spin in a circle and knock the cans off the table. Do you see how high the table is compared to Ellie's waist? Keith stepped in and helped her out after she was so dizzy she could barely stand. It was entertaining!

This picture does NOT do Ellie justice. She was so grubby and dirty. She played in a dirt pile, jumped on the tramp, went down the water slide/bounce house and blew snot out of her nose. Yes, she was one of those grubby kids that you didn't want to look at or be near. Luckily most of the other kids there looked a lot like her. We pretty much stripped all of our kids down to underwear/panties/ or diaper (as the case may be for one of ours) and loaded them in the mini-van to head home and then hosed them down!

Dani's turn!

Thanks for a fun day James', we all had a great time!